Changes in the health care delivery system and cost control are issues that are being discussed now in the United States. As we get closer to the election the issue will become more important in political debates. Now is the time for prostate cancer advocates to learn about some of the options that are being discussed. There is an emphasis on evidence based medicine and we want to be sure that the patients needs are considered in the decision making process.

Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) is in the spotlight as a tool for addressing health care quality and improving health care value.
By closing gaps in evidence, this type of research can enable health care decision making by patients, providers and policy makers. However, many basic elements of the issue are neither clearly defined nor well understood. Given the growing interest in policies to expand the government’s role in CER, it is very important for all stakeholders to identify and address key unresolved issues.

On March 29th, Center for Medicine in the Public Interest (CMPI) and Old Dominion University sponsored a conference on evidence-based medicine and its implications for a cost-centric vs. patient-focused health care future.

Speakers included Carolyn Clancy (AHRQ), Gail Wilensky (Project Hope), Scott Gottlieb (AEI), John Bridges (Johns Hopkins), Peter Elkn (Mayo Clinic), among others.

Here is the final report on the event — and it’s really must reading for anyone concerned about the precarious balance between value and quality — in short, the future of the American health care system.

Click here to to read the final report.